This past weekend Bothasig residents opened their hearts, their food cabinets and wallets in order to help a family in need after their house had caught fire.
The family lost almost all their belongings when a fire broke out at their house in Mauritius Street, Bothasig, on Friday 16 February. Since then, donations from all over the community have been flooding in.
The donations were coordinated by the Bothasig Residents Association (BRA) and a charity organisation, Locals Helping Locals in Leerdam Street, Bothasig.
Mario Borchards, BRA-chair, recalls the morning as it happened.
“On Friday, Precinct Response called me at 09:00 informing me that there is a house on fire. Joy Titus (BRA’s social worker) and I immediately rushed to the house. Obviously shocked at the extent of the damage, we contacted the family of eight, and then we started a drive to collect clothing, food and funds for the family because they lost everything.”
BRA requested assistance from all community organisations in the ward.
“Locals Helping Locals were the first to come on board and extensively promoted the assistance drive.
“Richwood Neighbourhood Watch took it upon themselves to do a drive throughout Richwood. They collected four vehicles full of clothing and some food. Bothasig Neighbourhood Watch watched over the house and collected some items. Cash donations were received from Bothasig Muslim Cultural Society and other residents of Ward 5. The support from the residents of Ward 5 was truly heartwarming. We had the residents of Bothasig Gardens, social housing, collecting non-perishables,” says Borchards.
BRA’s social worker has been supporting the family since the outset of the event, he says.
“We have been in contact with the family throughout over this couple of days and created a bond with them.”
Borchards says the family are still in need of food donations (non-perishables) and money.
Edward Bosch, spokesperson for the City of Cape Town’s fire and rescue services, confirmed that their service received reports of a house on fire just before 09:00.
“Two firefighting vehicles from the Milnerton and Goodwood fire stations responded. Upon arrival, officers found one dwelling alight. One adult female, who is a resident of the affected dwelling, suffered burn wounds and was treated and transported to hospital by a private ambulance. The dwelling sustained partial damage due to the fire,” says Bosch.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Anyone or any organisation that wants to donate can contact Mario Borchards, BRA-chair, on 061 406 3732. TygerBurger was unable to get hold of the homeowner.
